Communications Specialist-26245103

Are you an expert at creating quality, meaningful connections between government and the public? We are looking for someone to join our team as a COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Interviews are expected to be during the week of May 4th, 2026 and job offers will be the week after. The department will reach out to candidates to invite them to participate in an interview.

Future Salary Increases

June 2026 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3.00% Across-the-Board + 1.49% Market Adjustment)

June 2027 – 4.49% increase to base pay (3.00% Across-the-Board + 1.49% Market Adjustment)

County Communications Office

The County Communications Office (CCO) builds connections with the community and County employees through innovative, transparent, trusted communications and meaningful engagement opportunities. CCO shares information about County operations, initiatives, services, programs and activities and engages the public through media relations, web, video, and graphic design using a variety of channels, including CountyNewsCenter.com, CNC TV, social media, and the County's digital engagement platform EngageSanDiegoCounty.gov. CCO also works with County departments and the community to expand opportunities for community engagement and access to language services through programs and policies.

The Position

The County has an exciting opportunity for a Communications Specialist in the County Communications Office. The person in this role will work directly to support internal, media and external communications along with community engagement processes to strengthen the connection between the County and the communities it serves. Under the direction of CCO deputy directors and managers, the Communication Specialist will be assigned to various communications, community engagement and language services projects and contribute to the implementation of County programs and policy.

In addition to the essential functions outlined in job classification, the position will be responsible for the following:

• Lead efforts to expand internal and external knowledge and use of the County’s communications, community engagement, language services and resources.
• Support the development and implementation of County communications and community engagement strategies.
• Support special projects to advance the County’s efforts to improve access and equity in community engagement.
• Assist research of communications, language, accessibility and engagement best practices including identifying additional resources and tools ranging from outreach techniques, online meeting platforms, language services tools, engagement tools and frameworks.
• Assist with developing internal communications related to best practices in communications, engagement, and language access, including toolkit items(tip sheets, resource lists, presentations, etc.) and training content
• Assist with report development, data gathering and analysis.
• Develop and review written communications to ensure the use of plain language, consistency with County messaging and protocols, and considerations for language and cultural values.
• Designs and coordinates the development of communications toolkits to promote various communications and community engagement campaigns across the enterprise.
• Support the development and delivery of staff training programs.
  
  

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Passion for making connections between government and the community through quality communications and engagement efforts.
• Value diverse perspectives and ideas.
• Understand reputation management and the intersection of community engagement and communications.
• Exceptional writer and strategic thinker who is able to collect and analyze complex information to create clear and engaging communications for the community and County employees.
• Work experience in community engagement, communications, public relations or related field.
• Proven success in designing outreach and/or community engagement campaigns and projects including a variety of tactics to reach diverse audiences in-person and online.
• Experience with data collection and quantitative/qualitative analysis to develop findings and recommendations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including familiarity with writing styles for multiple platforms such as print and web.
• Ability to collect and analyze complex information and share it with the media, community and County employees in a way that is engaging and easy to understand.
• Innovation with proven success in following and implementing trends and best practices in communications and community engagement to find new ways to connect with diverse audiences with an emphasis on access and belonging.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Bilingual language skills in one of the County’s eight threshold languages preferred.
• Microsoft Office, Word press, Share point and AEM proficiency preferred.
  
  

Please read the Communications Specialist job description for more information.

Hiring Timeline and Date

The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

• Job offers and background process begins shortly after interviews.
• Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
• Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
• Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in communications, journalism, advertising, English, marketing or a closely related field; AND,

• Three (3) years of full-time professional experience as a reporter or producer/director in an electronic or print news organization; OR,
• Three (3) years of full-time professional experience working in the field of public relations including conducting media presentations and writing news releases.
  
  

Note: Additional years of experience as described above may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Blind Applicant Screening

The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate’s personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Condition of Employment

As part of the County of San Diego’s pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.

Evaluation Process

The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a nine (9) month eligible list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental application.

Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying.

Accommodation

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.

As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans.

Veteran’s Preference Policy The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego.

Military Skills Translator Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help!

The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our Strategic Plan (sandiegocounty.gov) as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a Framework for the Future that will create a County that works for all.

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law.

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